his own shadow, "but he doesn't seem very bright."
"Come on; he's a pup. You gotta give him a chance. What are you gonna call him?"
"I named him when I was here with Papa. His name is Max."
"Good, you stay here with Max for a while and get acquainted. I'm going in to clean our guns."
Fury watched as Hank disappeared into the cabin, then she turned her attention back to the runt of a pup. "What am I supposed to do with you?"
Max looked at her and whined.
"Hey, don't take it personally."
The pup sat back on his haunches and cried.
"Oh, come on," Fury said as she entered the stall.
"It's not like I don't like you," she said as she picked up the pup. "I just don't think it's a good idea to take you with me."
Fury chuckled when the pup began to lick her chin. "All right, Max, I'll spend a little time with you, but that doesn't mean I'm taking you with me."
From Mrs. Alston's description of Hank Black Hawk, Travis expected a dilapidated shack not a quaint cabin nestled in the serene countryside. He envisioned broken windows and holes in the roof, not flowers and a porch swing, not smoke billowing from the chimney, not a home. Travis hoped the man would be as inviting as his homestead.
Travis needed answers, his visit with the Pendergrass family the prior evening proved fruitless. Darcy sobbed the entire time and her parents were filled with self-recrimination. Travis hoped his visit with Black Hawk would make up for the precious time he lost, time he needed to find Belle.
Travis remembered what Mrs. Alston said about Black Hawk, he was cautious as he approached the door. He knocked on the door.
He heard the rasping sound of a chair scraping against the floor. The door opened and Travis was greeted by a rifle.
"Whoa!" Travis shouted, as he raised his arms, "Put your rifle down, mister. I'm a Texas Ranger I need to ask you some questions concerning Belle Alston."
Hank slowly lowered his gun.
"What you want to know about Belle?"
"May I please come in?"
"No! Ask your questions."
Travis let out a frustrated sigh.
"I am investigating Belle's disappearance and I understand you were close to the family. Did Belle come here after the murder of her parents?"
"Belle is not in my home." Hank hoped saying Belle was not in his home would save him from a lie. He valued honesty.
"Do you have any idea where she might have gone?"
"Sorry, can't help you with that either. Look, son, John Alston was my best friend and I considered his family, my family, if I knew where Belle was, right now, I would tell you."
Again, he took his honesty to the limit, technically Hank did not know where Belle was 'right now'.
"I have nothing else to say," Hank added.
"If you think of anything please inform the sheriff and he will pass on the information to me. Thank you for your help Mr. Black Hawk."
He extended his hand to shake Hank's but was met by a closing door.
Travis did not know that the girl he searched for was just a few feet away in the barn.
After six months, the search for the Alston murderers and for their daughter faded away. Only two people held on to the hope that Belle lived—Kate Alston and Ranger Travis Parker. Although the official search for Belle had ended, Travis continued to look for her. No matter what assignment, Belle remained ever present in his mind.
Over the months, Fury trained with Hank. They began every day early and ended every day late. Under Hank's tutelage, Fury improved her shooting and riding skills. He also taught her to track and fight. In the evenings, they sat by the fireplace as Hank shared his knowledge as a deputy with her. When she was not with Hank, she could be found training Swift and Max. But training with the animals was not always work; sometimes she would play games with them. They loved playing a kind of horse and dog hide and seek. Fury cupped her hands like blinders over the horse's eyes and commanded Swift to find Max. Usually, the horse found him in no time. Fury wondered if he wanted to be found. The pup proved to be as smart as his mother, and Fury was pleased at how quickly he learned.
The walk back to the cabin was silent, and Fury knew something was on Hank's mind.
"Hank, what's going on? Did I do something wrong today? Is there something you want me to work on?"
"No, you've learned everything I wanted to teach you, Fury." Hank's voice hitched. "You are ready to leave if you still want to go."
"Yes, I do."
Hank nodded. He hung his head as they plodded along in silence. They were almost to the cabin when Hank stopped and turned to face her. "Fury, what will you do to support yourself?"
"I been meaning to tell you that." Fury shifted her weight. "I'm going to be a bounty hunter."
"What?" Hank yelled. "Do you know how dangerous that is?"
"Yes, I do, Hank, but hear me out. I want to find my parents' murderers, and I need information. Who better to get information from but other criminals?"
"You think some criminal is just gonna spill his guts to you?"
"No, I know it won't be easy, but you taught me well. I know I can do it because I have to do it."
"What about the fact you are a girl; that will bring you a world of trouble, especially if you are hunting criminals," Hank growled.
"I've thought of that. I'm gonna pass myself off as a man."
Hank almost laughed. "A man! You could barely pass yourself off as a boy."
"I believe if I dress in loose fitting clothes and a jacket, no one will know I'm female. And I will have to cut my hair off."
"Cut your hair off?" Sometimes Hank could not believe how much she'd changed. Belle would have never cut her hair, but as she said, she was not Belle; she was Fury.
"It has to be done, Hank. Also, Hank, there is something else I want you to do for me."
"Let's hear it."
"I want you to spread rumors about me, about Fury."
"What?"
"Hear me out, Hank. You start telling the right people about a new bounty hunter named Fury. You could give me a reputation the criminals will take seriously. Warn them. Tell them there's a new bounty hunter, only goes by the name Fury. You heard people say don't let his age or size fool you. Hank, you could tell them things like that, and it might make things easier for me."
Hank was silent. He thought about what Fury said and knew she was right.
"All right," he answered," but you need to stay here a bit longer, to give time for the rumors to get around. And, Fury, remember, I didn't help you so you could get revenge. I helped you so you could get justice."
Fury nodded. "Thank you, Hank."
Hank told his tall tales of the bounty hunter named Fury at saloons and general stores. He went anywhere he knew people gathered to gossip. The name Fury soon became a name to be respected.
"Don't judge Fury by his size," he heard people say. "He is the best shot around and can fight like a grizzly bear." It didn't take long for the stories of Fury to spread and become embellished with each retelling.
When Fury believed enough time passed for the rumors to take hold, she announced she was leaving. Hank and Little Dove gave nervous goodbyes, and Fury